We are pleased to announce the slate of candidates for board offices, selected by the ASTM International Nominating Committee. Terms will begin Jan. 1, 2025, for board chair (one-year term); board vice chair (two-year term); and six directors (three-year terms). The election is official when the ballot closes on Dec. 4, the deadline for receipt of all ballots.

Members will receive an email with a link to the online ballot. If you do not have access to the internet, you may request a hard copy of the ballot from Maureen Houck at +1.610.832.9594.

Chair

Casandra W. Robinson is an engineer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL). Previously, she worked for the National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River National Laboratory, and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

A member of ASTM International since 2006, Robinson is chair of the committee on homeland security applications (E54) and vice chair of three E54 subcommittees. She is also a member of the committees on textiles (D13); leather (D31); pedestrian/walkway safety and footwear (F13); and personal protective clothing and equipment (F23). Her contributions to ASTM were recognized with an Award of Merit. Additionally, Robinson is the federal co-chair of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Homeland Defense and Security Standardization Collaborative and a member of the ANSI Executive Standards Council.

Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Alabama.

Vice Chair 2025-2026

Brian P. Shiels is senior PPE engineer for ArcWear, which offers arc, flame, and thermal testing and certification. Shiels has served in his current role since 2019, having previously held positions at PBI Performance Products before joining ArcWear in 2018.

An ASTM International member since 2008, Shiels is past chair of the committee on standards and current chair of the finance and audit committee. He is a member of the ASTM Global Collaboration Forum for Personal Protective Equipment. Shiels is also the chair of the committee on personal protective clothing and equipment (F23) and chair of its flame and thermal subcommittee (F23.80). In addition, Shiels is a past vice chair of the committee on textiles (D13) and a member of the committees on homeland security applications (E54); electrical protective equipment for workers (F18); pedestrian/walkway safety and footwear (F13); and exoskeletons and exosuits (F48). He has received Awards of Appreciation, Service Awards, and an Award of Excellence.

Shiels holds a master’s degree in textile chemistry from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of South Carolina.

Director 2025-2027

Melissa Holbrook is director of quality for Solmax Geosynthetics. She spent 20 years as senior quality manager of TenCate Geosynthetics until its acquisition by Solmax.

A member of ASTM International since 2001, Holbrook has served on the committee of geosynthetics (D35). She is membership secretary of D35 and was chair of the subcommittee on permeability and filtration (D35.03). In recognition of her service, D35 honored Holbrook with the Award of Merit (2022) and an Award of Appreciation (2023). Holbrook has worked to seek out and invite women to participate in D35 activities, including hosting networking lunches for women at committee weeks.

Holbrook earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in analytical chemistry from University of Georgia.

Director 2025-2027

Maria Knake is acting team lead, standards and conformity assessment services, with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Knake has over 17 years of experience in managing conformity assessments and previously worked for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

An active ASTM International member for more than 15 years, Knake is currently chair of the committee on road and paving materials (D04). Additionally, she was a member of the nominating committee in 2023 and is a member of the committees on cement (C01); concrete and concrete aggregates (C09); soil and rock (D18); vehicle pavement systems (E17); laboratory accreditation (D36); and sustainability (E60). In recognition of her service to D04, Knake received a Distinguished Service Award (2001), Award of Appreciation (2014), and Outgoing Chair Award (2023).

Knake earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Director 2025-2027

Pamela Kramer-Brown is durability labs leader of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. Previously, she held positions with Medtronic and P. Kramer Consulting.

Kramer-Brown joined ASTM International in 2000, serving on the committee on medical and surgical materials and devices (F04) for 24 years. She is F04’s producer vice-chair; chair of the subcommittee on metallurgical materials (F04.12); and vice-chair of the subcommittee on material test methods (F04.15). In recognition of her service to the committee, Kramer-Brown was given the Robert E. Fairer Award (2023). Additionally, she is a member of the committees on fatigue and fracture (E08); mechanical testing (E28); forensic sciences (E30); homeland security applications (E54); nanotechnology (E56); forensic engineering (E58); and primary barrier packaging (F02).

Kramer-Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and material sciences and master’s and doctoral degrees in materials science engineering from University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, she earned a master of business administration and management degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

Director 2025-2027

Philip Line is vice president, codes and regulation, with the American Wood Council.

A member of ASTM International since 1995, Line is an active member of the committee on wood (D07), serving as membership secretary of the main committee; chair of the subcommittee on reliability – based design (D07.02.06); and former chair of the subcommittee on mechanical test methods and properties (D07.01.03). In recognition of his service to the committee, Line received the L.J. Markwardt Award (2013). Additionally, Line was a member of the committee on standards for six years, including three spent as committee chair. He is a current member of the committees on plastics (D20); performance of buildings (E06); quality and statistics (E11); sustainability (E60); fasteners (F16); and corrosion of metals (G01).

Line earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master’s degree in civil engineering from University of Virginia. He was inducted to Virginia Polytechnic Institute’s Civil Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Director 2025-2027

Michael Pluimer, Ph.D., is director of the advanced materials center and associate professor in civil engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is also owner of if Crossroads Engineering Services, LLC. Previously, Pluimer held positions at Texas Research International and the Plastic Pipe Institute.

A member of ASTM International since 2002, Pluimer is a member of the committee on plastic piping systems (F17) and serves as chair of the subcommittees on test methods (F17.40) and sewer (F17.62). He was recognized for his service to F17 with the Certificate of Appreciation (2013); Special Service Award (2016); Paul Finn Memorial Award (2021); Frank W. Reinhart and Henry Butch Kuhlmann Award (2022); and the Award of Merit (2023). Pluimer is also a member of the committees on concrete pipe (C13); rubber and rubber-like materials (D11); plastics (D20); geosynthetics (D35); nondestructive testing (E07); fatigue and fracture (E08); quality and statistics (E11); environmental assessment, risk management and corrective action (E50); sustainability (E60); and technology and underground utilities (F36). Additionally, Pluimer is member-at-large of E60 and membership secretary of F36.
Pluimer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Calvin University, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Minnesota, and a doctoral degree in civil engineering from Villanova University.

Director 2025-2027

Richard S. Szecsy, Ph.D., is executive vice president of Alamo Concrete Products Company. Previously, he held positions with Charley’s Concrete, Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association, and Lattimore Materials Co.

Szecsy joined ASTM International in 1999. He is chair of the committee on concrete and concrete aggregates (C09) and previously served on the committee on technical committee operations (COTCO) and the 2022 nominating committee. In recognition of his service, C09 gave Szecsy two Awards of Appreciation (2014, 2016) and named him an honorary committee member (2022). He also received the COTCO service award (2016) and the D18 Technical Editors Award (2019). Additionally, Szecsy serves on several state and national committees for the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association; the American Concrete Institute (ACI); the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); and the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA).

Szecsy earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a doctoral degree in civil engineering from University of Illinois.